NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-07-2025 12AM EDT

Episode Date: May 7, 2025

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On this week's Wild Card podcast, Weird Al Yankovic says there's something funny about being professionally weird. I think people realize, you know, Weird Al is almost ironic because I'm like one of the more normal people in showbiz, I think. I'm Rachel Martin. Weird Al is on Wild Card, the show where cards control the conversation. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. The U.S. Supreme Court says the Trump administration may enforce its ban on transgender military service members, at least for now.

NPR's Nina Totenberg explains. Trump has been trying to ban transgender troops in the military since his first term as president. Back then he partially succeeded, but the ban was reversed by President Biden, only to be put back in place by Trump when he returned for a second term. The new policy strengthens the plan he put in place in the first term and bars individuals from enlisting and discharges active duty transgender service members as well. The lower courts temporarily put the policy on hold, but today the Supreme Court disagreed,

allowing the administration to carry out the ban while the case is litigated in the lower courts. The court's three liberal justices dissented. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington. House Democrats are once again trying to block cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP. As NPR's Elena Moore reports, Republicans are seeking a consensus on the potential cuts. House Republicans need virtually full party

support to pass their bill and roughly a dozen moderates have come out against drastic cuts to programs like Medicaid. So minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats are calling for GOP support. All we need are four Republicans to do the right thing, stand up for Medicaid and stand up for SNAP so they can stand up for the American people. But Democrats have an uphill battle in getting any Republicans to break with their party. Plus, Republicans haven't formally released their proposed cuts. And GOP leadership says they're still working to get moderates on board.

Elena Moore, NPR News, The Capital. A federal judge is blocking efforts to dismantle the agency that funds US museums and libraries. And P.R.'s Andrew Limbong has details. In March, President Trump issued an executive order stating the IMLS and six other government entities be, quote, eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law. In response, 21 states sued the Trump administration, and now district court judge John J. McConnell has given the states a legal win in the form of a preliminary injunction. His order states that the EO, quote,

"...disregards the fundamental constitutional role of each of the branches of our federal government." The IMLS is the main source of federal funding for libraries. Its budget last year was about $250 million, which helps libraries pay for staff, interlibrary loan services, and even basic needs like internet access. Andrew Limbong, NPR News. A second judge has blocked the administration's use of an 18th century wartime law to deport migrants accused of being gang members. The judge noted that the law is meant to be used

during times of declared war or an invasion. This is NPR. Indian forces fired missiles into Pakistan-controlled Kashmir Wednesday, killing several people and wounding dozens more. India says it was a response to an attack that killed more than two dozen mostly Hindu tourists two weeks ago in India-controlled Kashmir. The latest skirmishes have raised concerns that the two nuclear-equipped neighbors could be on the brink of war. Catholic cardinals gathered in Rome are trying to elect a new pope with prayer and reflection.

NPR's Jason DeRose reports that the papal conclave begins Wednesday at the Vatican. Church politics, social issues, and international affairs are certainly on the minds of the cardinals, but a papal conclave is also a deeply religious undertaking, marked by masses, prayers, hymns, and oaths. Cardinal Elector Michael Czerny says his brother Cardinals approach the task with great seriousness. We're looking for a Holy Father who is the successor of Saint Peter, not the successor of Pope Francis. Following a public mass in Saint Peter's Basilica Wednesday morning, Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel. Voting continues until they elect the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome.

R&B legend Smokey Robinson has been accused of sexual assault and false imprisonment. Four unnamed women who worked as housekeepers for Robinson say they were forced to quit because of alleged assaults. The plaintiffs also alleged the entertainer's wife, Frances Robinson, was aware of the attacks but did nothing to stop them. Robinson has not publicly commented on the allegations. This is NPR News. You may have heard that President Trump has issued an executive order seeking to block This is NPR News.